Identifying their target readers can be a challenging step for authors, but is a critical part of the process and should be an ongoing effort. Simon & Schuster's Audience Insights Senior Manager Anna Hall recommends authors start with a hypothesis of who their target audience is, then test it and gather data from the testing, and finally, refine strategies as needed. She says authors instinctually know best whom their book is for. Maybe they have some comparative titles in mind, or specific music or TV shows that their target audience likes or that inspired the book.
Where do these readers live online? Where do they hangout or have discussions?
If your book is for sale on Amazon, Hall recommends accessing any buyer demographic information that is available through your Amazon Author Central account. Amazon also has a market basket where you can see what readers are buying alongside your book. As you gather the data, Hall encourages you to ask yourself:
Is there anything surprising? A comp title I didn't think about? A demographic I wasn't expecting?
In addition, Hall says reader reviews can be a great way to learn about your target audience, especially when readers compare your book to another.